Fire-escape



(Nd Model.)

W. A. UORNYN.

FIRE ESCAPE.

Patented May 2Z,1883.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM A. oonnvn, 0F PONTIAC, MICHIGAN.

FIRE-ESCAPE,

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 277,995, dated May 22, 1883.

Application filed February 8, 1883. (No model.) i

To all whom. it may concern Be it known that I, WILLIAM A. CORNYN,

' of Pontiac, in the county of Oakland and State of Michigan, have invented new and useful Improvements in Fire-Escapes; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being bad to the-accompanying drawings,.which form a part of this specification.

The nature of this invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in portable devices of that class designed to facilitate escaping from the upper stories of a burning building.

The object of the inventionis to provide a safe, durable, and portable apparatus of a small and compact form, easily packed in a trunk or traveling-bag, by means of which persons may safely escape from burning build ings, easily controlling the rapidity of their descent, and which will be found a good and effective device to be furnished to rooms whence such a means may be at some time required.

The invention consists in the peculiar construction of its parts and their combination and operation, as more fully hereinafter described.

Figure l is an elevation, in perspective, of my improved fire-escape Fig. 2 is a central longitudinal section through the case.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Arepresents a metallic cylinder, each end of the same being provided with a head. A round block, B, of a sufficiently smaller diameter than that of the interior of said cylinder, is rigidly secured within said cylinder, and to the heads thereof centrally, so as to leave an annular space, a,

between the inner wall of the cylinder and the round block B.

O is a rope, which is wound around the block within the cylinder, three turns being sufficient to accomplish the desired end. One of the free ends of this rope projects through an orifice, b, and to this end is secured a hook, c, or any other device known, by means of which the apparatus may be attached to a window-bench. The other end of the rope passes out of the orifice d and extends. downward to any desired length. This end of the rope I letter D, for convenience in further description.

E is a sling-rope, the free ends of which are secured to the cylinder, and Within the bight of this sling the operator can sit or stand.

Upon the rope D, I place a handle, F, made preferably of wood, divided vertically nearly into two parts, forming a fork, as shown in the drawings, with a hole through the center sufficiently large to allow the rope to play easily therein, and between the two parts of the fork and the rope I interpose a rubber cushion, 6, so that the handle will be held by friction. The device, being constructed substantially as described, is to be used as follows: The operator places himself in the sling, taking hold of the handle F on the rope D. He can thus lower himself with ease and safety at any desired rate of speed, such rate of speed being regulated by means of the handle F. If, for instance, he finds he is descending too rapidly, all he has to dois to grasp the handle through which the rope passes, the compression of which slackens the speed of the rope, thereby drawing it tightly around the block, which action checks the descent of the sling. By means of the use of this handle all dangerof injury to the hand by the friction of the rope is avoided.

An apparatus constructed as above described will be found serviceable and safe, easily rolled and packed into a small compass, so that it may be a constant traveling companion, ready at all times for use, as emergencies may require.

I am aware of Patents Nos. 206,087 and 144,122, and make no claim to the construction shown therein.

WhatI claim as my invention is- 1. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the block B, rigidly secured within the circular box A, and rope O, passing around said block, of the sling E and friction-handle F, substantially as described.

2. In a fire-escape, the combination, with the cylinder A, block B, rigidly secured therein, rope O, andsling E, of the handle F, provided with rubber friction-cushion e, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. 7

3. The combination, with the block B, cylinder A, having orifices b d, sling E, and rope D, of the split spring-handle F, having rubber cushion e, as and for the purpose set forth.

WILLIAM A. (JORNYN. 

